When it comes to home repairs, we all like to save a few extra bucks when possible. And with some things, like a fridge with a dinged discount, you can get away with it. But others, like your house’s water heater or furnace – these are not places to skimp. Just the same – neither is your garage door.  

If you’re considering buying a new garage door, it’s tempting to go for the lowest-priced model that gets you the look and function you want. The old adage: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is, applies here. Sometimes that savings could end up costing you even more down the road, where a quality garage door that was a higher up-front cost ends up being way less expensive over time. 

Here are 5 secret costs of garage doors that cost less:

Fleeting Beauty

While an inexpensive garage door might look awesome at year 1, you can bet it won’t at year 5. Low-quality fiberglass, paints or coatings are more likely to scrape, chip, stain, and fade due to UV exposure, moisture, salt – anything. Plus, cheap garage door panels are easily torn and dented. And cheap hardware is more likely to rust and strip, putting the structure of your garage door panels at risk.

Failing Insulation

You can bet a cheap garage door has little to no insulative value. Higher-quality doors are either (a) made of materials with natural insulative features, or (b) are filled with quality insulation with high R-value. Don’t get us wrong – you can “insulate” a flimsy garage door with a reflective kit, but it will pale in comparison. And the effect is more energy loss, a less comfortable climate in the garage, and higher power bills.

Short Lifespan

Part of the upfront cost of a new garage door is that you’re paying for longevity. Quality parts and materials lead to a more durable door that lasts decades, especially when you keep up on regular door maintenance and repairs. Think about it this way: What costs more? 2 new cheap garage door and installation bills in 10 years? Or 1 quality garage door and installation bill in 15-20 years?

Unsafe Security

Any time you chintz on a major appliance, you’re taking a risk with the reliability of its operations. And when we’re talking about the biggest and heaviest door in your home, this means you’re risking the safety of your family and the security of your stuff. A quality garage door with break-in-resistant features gives you (and your wallet) peace of mind there won’t be catastrophic failures and the door won’t be easy for people with bad intentions to breach.

Poor ROI

This is likely the biggest cost of a cheap garage door: the return on investment. To keep with old isms: you reap what you sow. A new garage door, when designed and installed responsibly, offers a nearly dollar-for-dollar return in home equity. Not so, if your door is cheap and flimsy with crackling paint 2 years after the install. What’s the point?

Balancing Immediate & Long-Term Costs with Professional Advice

The dangers of a cheap garage door can add up fast, especially in repair costs, and maybe your home’s energy bills, too! That’s one reason working with a local garage door installer is key to making the most of your garage door makeover. You want the best balance of quality, safety, function and budget, and we can help you get there.Looking at a new garage door install? Give us a call anytime. We serve the Greater Sacramento area with top-tier services for residential garage doors, commercial storefront and overhead doors, parking lot security appliances, and more.